China appreciates India to quell Tibetan protests

New Delhi: Amid continuing protest by Tibetans against the Chinese President Hu Jintao`s visit here, China on Thursday appreciated "effective" and "concrete" measures taken by India in quelling the demonstrations and ensuring safe and smooth holding of the BRICS summit.

Chinese government also expressed regret over "troubles"
created by the pro-Tibetan elements for India ahead and during
the fourth Summit of BRICS, Brazil-Russia-India-China-South
Africa.

Hu`s two-day visit for the meeting triggered a wave of
anti-China protests despite crackdown on Tibetans and stepped-
up security by police for the meeting.

"The Chinese side appreciates the effective and concrete
measures taken by the Government of India in overcoming the
disruptions and the disturbances and in ensuring the safe and
smooth holding of the (BRICS) summit meeting," Director
General of the Department of Asian Affairs in Chinese
government Luo Zhaohui said.

Luo, who is part of Hu`s delegation here, accused the
Dalai Lama and the pro-Tibetan elements of trying to push
"extreme and radical views by glorifying and instigating
extreme behaviour."

"This is not consistent with teachings of Buddhism and it
(the protests) is aimed at political purposes. We are strongly
opposed to it," he said.

A group of Tibetans today unfurled a Tibetan flag near
the five-star hotel where Hu was attending the BRICS summit
while yesterday, a group of Tibetans attempted to storm Oberoi
Hotel where the Chinese President is staying.

Noting that India is committed to recognise Tibet as an
"inalienable" part of China, he expressed regret over
"troubles" created by the pro-Tibetan elements for Indian
government ahead of the summit.

"It is the commitment of the Indian government that it
recognises the Tibetan Autonomous Region as an inalienable
part of territory of the Republic of China and that India will
never allow any people to use India to engage in so called pro
Tibetan activities.

"We are regretful that the so called pro-Tibetan elements
have created trouble for government of India," Luo said.

Apparently referring to death of a Tibetan youth here who
had set himself ablaze during a protest against Hu`s visit
here, Luo expressed regret over loss of innocent life.

About overall ties between the two countries, he said the
relationship has been enjoying "very sound momentum" which is
characterised by frequent political contacts at the highest
levels, increasing people-to-people contacts, deepening
two-way trade and cooperation on international issues.

On the border issue, he said the mechanism of meeting
between the special representatives of the two governments
have been progressing in a "smooth and successful" way as both
the sides have been able to maintain peace and tranquility on
the border.